Stories

The Ha-ma-yas Stewardship Network is bringing together Guardians, Elders, youth and community members from three Nations to work with traditional carvers and the Large Cultural Cedar (LCC) protocol in the H’Kusam forest. 

This September, the Indigenous Guardians Technical Support Team (TST) was invited to attend the first gathering of Treaty 8 Guardians in Fort St John. 

In February 2023, the Northern Indigenous Stewardship Circle gathered in person in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, bringing together stewardship leaders from across the North.

James (Jimmy) Morgan / H'lik is a Facilitator with the Indigenous Guardians Technical Support Team (TST) and a Guardian for the

Tara Marsden is Wilps Gahmlaxyeltxw, Wilp Sustainability Director and lead for the Wilp Wii Litsxw Meziadin Indigenous Protected Area (MIPA). Tara is a long-term, consistent, and essential force in Gitanyow land use planning and IPCA initiatives, and helps to integrate the work that Guardians do.

Lisa Young is the executive director of the Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources (UINR). UINR is currently partnering with the Confederacy of Mainland Mi'kmaq (CMM) to create a land Guardian network in Nova Scotia on behalf of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaq Chiefs.

Evan Loveless is the Stewardship Advisor with Kitasoo Xai’Xais First Nation and has worked closely with the Nation for many years.

Indigenous Guardians are the eyes, ears, and presence on the land and water for their communities and people, but what does that role look like when a Nation creates an Indigenous Protected Area?

Nicole (Cole) Morven is the Harvest Monitor Coordinator for the Nisga’a Fisheries and Wildlife Department. This conversation was facilitated by TST Outreach and Communications Coordinator, Emily Diemert, and has been edited for length and clarity.

James (Jimmy) Morgan / H'lik is the lead Guardian and field supervisor for the Gitanyow Lax'yip Gu